The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced Specsavers will become the new title sponsor of the County Championship.
The four-year deal will give Specsavers full naming and branding rights around the historic competition which will enter its 126th season – with Derbyshire starting their campaign away at Gloucestershire on Sunday 17 April.
The new agreement strengthens Specsavers’ relationship with county cricket as the eye-wear chain has been ECB’s Official Optometry and Hearing partner, and Principal Partner of the Association of Cricket Officials (ACO) since 2014.
The Specsavers brand currently features on clothing worn by umpires officiating in all three county competitions and on clothing worn by ACO-appointed umpires in a range of club and junior cricket competitions nationwide.
ECB Commercial Director, Sanjay Patel said: “We’re very pleased to have agreed a four-year deal with Specsavers after holding discussions with several interested parties about this sponsorship package.
“The County Championship continues to enjoy a strong following and the competition’s geographical spread across 18 different counties will help Specsavers gain wider brand exposure at both regional and national level.”
“Our commercial family continues to expand and today’s announcement highlights once again that cricket is an attractive property to a wide range of different brands and businesses.”
Specsavers Marketing Director, Richard Holmes added: ‘“This sponsorship builds on our existing sporting pledge to help the experts to see.
“We’re delighted with the levels of exposure we have achieved through our existing relationship with umpires and this is a great way for us to reach out to an even bigger audience of cricket fans nationwide and be a part of one of the game’s most famous and best-loved competitions.”
Derbyshire CCC Membership offers the cheapest way to watch the county in 2016. Purchase online at derbyshireccc.com, in person at The 3aaa County Ground or by calling 0871 350 1870.
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